Lloyd steps up to give the US a step forward

Lloyd steps up to give the US a step forward

By Debby von Winckelmann

Sporting a black eye that served to emphasize the degree of fight in her, Carli Lloyd stepped up for the United States women’s national team and scored two goals to give the U.S. a 2-1 victory over Norway at Municipal Stadium in Portugal.

Norway scored first in the match, with an unmarked Ada Hegerberg placing her head on a cross by Kristine Minde in the 43rd minute.

Coming into the second half, trailing 1-0, Lloyd scored the equalizer in the 56th minute, despite being surrounded by the opposition. With a couple of quick touches, Lloyd was able to create enough space from her defenders to launch a hard shot into the net.

Just six minutes later, Norway was called for a handball in the box, a deflection off a Christen Press shot, and the U.S. was awarded a penalty kick. Lloyd converted to give the Americans the 2-1 lead.

Both the win, and the fact that the U.S. came from behind, are good steps forward for the Americans, who have been struggling with injuries and with finding the combination of 11 players that can get the job done.

Head coach Jill Ellis is still playing with the lineup and formation, making some interesting changes to the starting 11 for this game. With Whitney Engen out with minor injuries and Christie Rampone still injured, Julie Johnston started at center back and Lori Chalupny returned to the left back position. Not surprisingly, Hope Solo returned in the goal, now back to the team after serving a 30-day.

Solo had a misstep in the fourth minute, when she came out and going up for the ball, instead ended up on the ground, without it. Luckily, Ali Krieger was there to block the shot that ensued from the loose ball. Solo had a huge save in the second half, however, that otherwise could have changed the momentum and the outcome of the game. In the 54th minute, Norway’s Lene Mykjaland took a corner kick that was knocked down in the box and Solveig Gulbrandsen took a quick, hard shot that Solo was able to stop.

The U.S. looked a bit sharper and quicker than they have recently, connecting shorter passes and creating some good scoring opportunities. There is still work to do on finishing those opportunities, as the Americans should have scored more, outshooting Norway 12 to 5 in this match.

Despite a lot of criticism from fans and analysts regarding the midfield, Ellis stayed with the same four players, in the same positions, that she has used for the last three games: Lauren Holiday and Morgan Brian in the middle, Carli Lloyd on the right side and Christen Press on the left.

In addition to Lloyd, Press and Holiday were bright spots for the U.S. today. Press seemed to be everywhere, creating opportunities for her and others, while Holiday delivered on both sides of the ball. Brian needs to work harder defensively to keep her place in the starting 11, as her inability to keep with her mark led to the Norway goal.

Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach started up top, with Wambach serving as captain and getting her head on the ball a few times before being replaced by Amy Rodriguez in the second half. Morgan seemed to be chasing down a lot of long balls that were just out of her reach, but caught up with one in the 50th minute and unfortunately, shot it right at Norway goalkeeper Silje Vesterbekkmo.

Also seeing some playing time were Sydney Leroux, who replaced Morgan in the 78th minute and Tobin Heath, who replaced Press. Megan Rapinoe came in for Holiday in stoppage time.
The U.S. continues group play on Friday against Switzerland. Kickoff is at 12 p.m. ET at Vila Real de Santo Antonio.

Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 11-Ali Krieger, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 26-Julie Johnston, 16-Lori Chalupny (25-Meghan Klingenberg, 46); 10-Carli Lloyd, 12-Lauren Holiday (15-Megan Rapinoe, 90+1), 14-Morgan Brian, 23-Christen Press (17-Tobin Heath, 78); 13-Alex Morgan (2-Sydney Leroux, 78), 20-Abby Wamach (capt.) (8-Amy Rodriguez, 56)
Subs Not Used: 5-Kelley O’Hara, 6-Whitney Engen, 7-Shannon Boxx, 9-Heather O’Reilly, 19-Rachel Van Hollebeke, 22-Crystal Dunn, 24-Ashlyn Harris
Head coach: Jill Ellis

NOR: 12-Silje Vesterbekkmo; 6-Maren Mjelde, 7-Trine Rønning (capt.), 2-Marita Lund, 3-Inger Ane Hole; 17-Lene Mykjåland, 8-Solveig Gulbrandsen (14-Gry Tofte Ims, 74), 20-Emilie Haavi (19-Marie Markussen, 69); 18-Kristine Minde, 8-Isabel Herlovsen, 21-Ada Hegerberg
Subs Not Used: 1-Ingrid Hjelmseth, 4-Melissa Bjånesoy, 5-Hedda Gardsjord, 10-Maria Thorisdottir, 11-Ida Elise Enget, 13-Ingrid Moe Wold, 15-Anja Sønstevold, 16-Andrine Hegerberg, 22-Cathrine Dekkerhus, 23-Cecille Fiskerstrand
Head coach: Even Pellerud